Tony Williams could earn a new contract with Parramatta despite second serious knee injury
Eels coach Brad Arthur believes Tony Williams deserves to be considered for a new contract. Photo: Jenny EvansSource: News Corp AustraliaPARRAMATTA have expressed their desire to retain often-maligned big man Tony Williams.
Williams faces an uncertain NRL future after suffering a season-ending ACL rupture in last Sunday’s win over the Wests Tigers, his second in as many seasons.
At 29, it’s been touted that the off-contract former NSW and Australian forward would be forced to see out the end of his career in the English Super League.
While a lot will depend on Williams’ rehabilitation, coach Brad Arthur indicated a willingness to extend his contract.
Turning point of Eels season
“We’ll have to wait and see where that gets to. He trained really hard and I’m sure he’ll train hard to get himself back.
“Hopefully he’ll be right to do a full pre-season and then we’ll go from there.”
With his career seemingly hanging in the balance, Williams himself has told PlayersVoice of his intention to play on, drawing inspiration from his family and need to provide for them.
Crediting the Eels medical staff for the overtime they put in to not only help his injury rehabilitation but meet Arthur’s strict weight requirements, Williams said he will do everything in his power to continue his career at Parramatta.
Tony Williams charges into the Wests Tigers defence in what will prove to be his final game of the 2018 season. Photo: Brendan EspositoSource: AAP“I wake up every morning, look at my partner and kids and know I have to play again,” Williams told PlayersVoice.
“The thought of providing for them will get me through this.
“Another knee reconstruction, another season lost. It’s frustrating and depressing. I have only managed six NRL games in the past two seasons. But I know I have to keep going, to keep on playing for my family.
“Playing football is what I do. It helps me be the best partner I can be to Seda Faith and the best father to my son Tremaine and my daughters, Tayana and Teleah, who are 18 months and eight months old respectively.
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“Football puts food on our table, pays our bills and prepares us for the future.
“Some guys in the media have all but said my career is over.
“They think that because I’m 29 years old and about to undergo my second knee reconstruction in as many years, I’m done.
“But in my mind I know that’s not the case.
“I aim to keep playing for three or four years minimum.
“I just need to get my body right and have the opportunity.
“I poured everything into getting it right this season.
Tony Williams is helped from the field after rupturing his ACL while playing for Tonga last year. Photo: Mark EvansSource: News Corp Australia“This was going to be to be the year I came back and showed the type of form people know I can produce. I just got unlucky.
“We haven’t spoken about contracts but I’m hoping that I do get another opportunity with Parra.
“At this moment, I just want to have successful surgery, get stuck into the rehab and get ready for the 2019 pre-season.
“I’m very lucky to have Brad Arthur as my coach. He believes in me and what I can do.
“There’s no doubt he took a bit of a risk in signing me given my recent injury history and I am still confident I can repay him for that.”
Williams has played 170 NRL games over 11 seasons, including Manly’s 2011 grand final win and Canterbury’s 2014 season-decider defeat.
He also made three appearances for NSW from 2012-14 and earned five Test caps each for Australia and Tonga.
The ex-Manly, Canterbury and Cronulla back-rower went to the Eels on a one-year deal hoping to repair his reputation after years of underachievement.
Asked if it would be fitting for Williams to finish the job he set out to do, Arthur said: “Yeah, it would be.
Replies
As BA said hopefully he does a pre-season and go fro there. TRex deserves another yr imo. Sad time for TRex and hopefully he can be back. Did well in those matches for us.
Mack, I hear you but, thing to consider is that Trex is actually a local eels junior. If he can get the knee fixed early and have a good rehab time, followed by a preseason, no reason why he should not be given another year at least, maybe year by year.
He will be 30 next year so could play at least 2, maybe 3 more seasons. He has proved he is up to it so far, and having him in the team and as a local junior can also help inspire other local juniors to lift and play for the club.
Mack take two panadols and have a lie down. You're totally out of your depth here. A minimum waged old head or two aren't going to upset the apple cart.
A Vave on 300k or a Beu 450 + who aren't good enough to start are problems mack. Wake up mack
You're out of your depth, it's as simple as that mack.
Chief are you getting paid $1 for every time you type "Mack" ?
Sadly vave and beau are on more then that
Mack is a dribbler and out of his depth. He makes no sense.
He ranks #1 on the 1ee dribblers chart rankings.
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